George d



(No Model.)

G.. D. MERRILL.

TOY.

No. 431,211. Patented July 1, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE D. MERRILL, OF EAST ORANGE, NElV JERSEY.

TOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.f131,211, dated July 1, 1890.

Application filed April 1, 1890. $erial No. 346,250. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE D. MERRILL, a citizen of the United States, residing in East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Toy, of which the following is a specification.

The parlor game known as the table beanhag game has been long a'favorite. My toy is made in imitation thereof and affords opportunity for much skill.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 is a plan View, conditioned for use. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal vertical section in condition for storage and transportation.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the drawings.

A is a thin board of convenient size to lay 011 a table or rest on the lap. Near one end are fixed two brackets A A, which support the axis 1) of a freely-tilting lever B, which is so hung that its gravity depresses the inner edge, and is of such weight that a small toybag filled with sand or other fine material of considerable weight may lie fairly across it. On striking the outer and upper side of this wide lever with the finger the lever will be smartly turned, and a small bag previously placed across its lower and inner end will be thrown and caused to describe a graceful curve in the air, the distance it flies depend ing on the character of the blow. Near the other end of the board A is fixed an inclined board 0, having a hole 0 large enough to admit the largest of the small bags D. The game is played by any number of persons, acting singly or divided into two sides. each player placing one or more bags in position, one at a time, on the inner end of 'the lever B and then striking the outer end down, and thus throwing the bag toward the hole 0. An elastic cord E, extended around the rear end of the board A, is kept in position by deep notches a a, and is held in such position that it receives the outer end of the bag. Another elastic G extends longitudinally along a portion of the board A, being held in position by deep notches a" a. It serves to retain the bags D, which are thus securely attached to the board A when the apparatus is not in use.

All the rules of the game may be enforced in the use of this toy the same as in playing the actual game with bean-bags thrown by the direct force of the hand. It is much less noisy and requires less room than the actual game.

When the toy is out of use, a box H, of thin wood or other suitable material, is applied in an inverted position, as shown in Fig. 3, and is held in place by elastics. The same elastic E, above described, may serve to reach over the box with sufficient distension and hold one end. Another elastic I is applied around the other end, extending across under the board A and up over the box H.

I claim as my invention 1. In a toy, the board A, having notches a a and brackets A A, in combination with the elastic E, tilting lever BI), and inclined board Go, and adapted to serve with the bags D, as herein specified.

2. The combination of the board A, inclined board Cc, brackets A, and tilting lever B with each other, and with the cover H, and with the elastic E, the latterarranged to sewe the double function of returning the lever to position after each throw and of retaining the cover when the device is out of use, all substantially as herein specified.

3. The toy described, consisting of the boards A C, the latter having the apertures c and the former having the brackets A and notches a and a, in combination with each other and with the tilting lever B and elastics E and G, arranged to serve with the bags I), as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at New York city, New York, this 12th day of March, 1890, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. 

